Eight days of fear and farce: Moat issued chilling threats as he eluded huge manhunt

CCTV footage shows Moat buying camping equipment from B&Q in Newcastle to prepare for his time on the run

The eight days since Raoul Moat launched his shooting spree and catapulted himself into the headlines have seen one of the most high-profile manhunts in British history.

Throughout, he kept one step ahead of police before last night's dramatic stand off in the centre of Rothbury.

This is how the events unfolded: FRIDAY, JULY 2: The day after Moat is released from Durham Prison, where he has been serving a sentence for assault, he buys camping equipment from B&Q in Newcastle to prepare for his time on the run.

Meanwhile, intelligence about the threat he poses to Samantha Stobbart, 22, is passed on to Northumbria Police in a phone call during the afternoon. Tragically they fail to take decisive action.

SATURDAY: Moat hides outside the house in Gateshead where Miss Stobbart is talking to her new boyfriend Chris Brown, 29.

He shoots Brown dead when he comes outside. He then shoots Miss Stobbart through the window. She is critically injured, but survives. Minutes later, at 3am, he phones friend Andy McAllister to tell him what he has done.

Moat was allegedly accompanied by two accomplices Karl Ness, 26, and Qhuram Awan, 23. That afternoon police name him as prime suspect and the manhunt begins.

SUNDAY: At 12.45am, married father-oftwo PC David Rathband, 42, is shot at a roundabout near the A1 in East Denton, Newcastle. After surgery, his condition is described as critical but stable. Police later revealed Moat made a threatening call to 999 12 minutes before the attack and another 50 minutes after. He also taunted police via his Facebook page.

MONDAY: He writes a 49-page 'declaration of war' against the police in which he vows to continue his killing spree. Crucially, officers fail to watch the friend's house where he delivered the letter and Moat eludes them.

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moat

Police reveal to the Press, under a news blackout, that Moat is believed to have taken two men as hostages. At 10.50pm he robs a fish and chip shop near Blyth.Driving Awan's Lexus car he returns to the isolated spot on the outskirts of Rothbury where he is camping with Awan and Ness.

TUESDAY: The Lexus is spotted in an industrial estate in Rothbury. Police swoop and arrest Ness and Awan.

WEDNESDAY: A £10,000 reward is offered for information. Police reveal another letter from Moat has been found at his abandoned campsite.

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moat

THURSDAY: Police reveal Moat has made threats to shoot members of the public. Panic spreads in Rothbury where police chiefs remain convinced Moat is hiding. Shortly before 11pm a man with a cap - recognised as Moat - is seen strolling down the High Street. Ninety minutes later he is seen hiding in a greenhouse. Despite a huge police response, he gets away.

YESTERDAY: Moat is spotted near the river in Rothbury and is surrounded by armed police.

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Raoul Moat: Gunman issued chilling threats as he eluded huge manhunt during eight days of fear and farce